Ingredients
For the Caesar Dressing
- 150 g mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ tsp anchovy paste
- 1½ tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 10 g freshly grated Parmesan, or more to taste
For the Pasta Salad
- 1 box pasta of your choice, cooked until al dente
- 1 large chicken breast, sliced into 3–4 thin cutlets
- 3 heaping tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup regular breadcrumbs
- Dried oregano
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika, preferably smoked paprika
- Neutral oil, for frying
- Romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces
Method
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and allow the pasta to cool before assembling the salad.
Caesar Dressing
- Add the mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, grated garlic, black pepper, and freshly grated Parmesan to a bowl. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the Parmesan, black pepper, or lemon juice to your preference. Set aside.
- Slice the chicken breast horizontally into 3–4 thin cutlets, keeping them as even in thickness as possible. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Chicken Cutlets
- Season the flour with a pinch of salt and black pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In a third bowl, combine the panko, regular breadcrumbs, and dried oregano.
- Coat each cutlet in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip into the seasoned egg mixture, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture until the entire surface is evenly coated.
- Heat neutral oil to around 350–375°F (180–190°C). Fry the chicken cutlets for approximately 3–5 minutes per side, depending on their thickness, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to rest for a few minutes before slicing.
To Assemble
- Add the cooked pasta and lettuce to a large bowl and toss with the Caesar dressing until evenly coated. Slice the crispy chicken cutlets and arrange them over the pasta.
- Finish with additional freshly grated Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper, if desired. Serve immediately while the chicken is still crispy.
